Recent News – Smith & Griffith Legal Blog

Tips to keep lone workers safe in South Carolina Workers are often encouraged to look out for their colleagues while on the job. However, this may prove to be impossible when an employee is working alone and away from others. To ensure the safety of solo workers, employers may want to take steps such as…

Painkillers and and workers’ compensation Most employees in South Carolina are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and the benefits provided thereunder can help pay medical bills and prescription drug costs for injured workers. A recent report by the National Safety Council shows that opioid painkillers make up more than 25 percent of workers’ compensation…

Robotics and the possibility of unsafe working conditions Workers in South Carolina and around the country may have a new area of concern when doing their jobs. Robotic workstations are becoming increasingly prominent in many areas of employment. The fact that robots are performing a large number of jobs is receiving increased attention from the…

OSHA’s rules on designing a workplace free of falling accidents Falling is one of the most serious dangers that any industrial worker can face. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a set of standards that are meant to protect a South Carolina worker from suffering a major injury or fatality because of…

New regulations for confined space hazards in construction OSHA has just issued new regulations setting standards for working in confined spaces in the construction industry. The new regulations will apply in South Carolina and around the country. A confined space regulation for general industry has been in place for more than 20 years, but the…

Teen drivers risky due to alcohol and distractions South Carolina teens and other teens across the country are responsible for a large number of crashes caused by distracted driving and alcohol-related accidents. This is true even though they only comprise about 10 percent of the population of drivers. According to national statistics, drivers younger than…

OSHA is focusing on inpatient facilities South Carolina residents may be interested in learning more about how the Occupational Health and Safety Administration has renewed its focus on nursing homes and health care facilities that may qualify for enforcement actions. The inpatient industry will be targeted by a new compliance initiative announced by OHSA on…

Car accidents increase as drivers grow older South Carolina residents who are entering their golden years may want to exercise a little more caution when they get behind the steering wheels in their cars. Statistics have shown senior drivers are more at risk to be killed in car accidents than younger drivers. There were almost…

DoT fatal car accident data shows risk of speeding Traffic accident statistics are hardly pleasant reading for South Carolina motorists, but education may help prevent some of the injuries and deaths that occur with auto collisions. Parents may opt for increased surveillance and classes after learning the statistics of young drivers involved in fatal car…

OSHA cites heater as source of deadly fire South Carolinians may be interested in a report on a deadly oil rig accident published by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration in June. The original incident took place in December 2014, when an active rig in Coalgate, Oklahoma, caught fire and eventually exploded. According to…